Gov Seyi Makinde Reappoints Adekanbi, Baladuro As DGs, Board Chairmen, Others Aides

 

Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has appointed the duo of Barrister Ayodele Adekanmbi and Mr. Olajide Boladuro as Directors-General of the Oyo State Agency for Living with Disabilities and the Oyo State Gaming Board, respectively.

This was as the governor reappointed Bishop David Moradeyo as the chairman of the Oyo State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Christian Wing), while Sheikh Hashim Olamide Wahab Atere has been appointed as the chairman of the Muslim Wing of the Board.

Other appointments approved by the governor are as follows;

Rev. Femi Ibikunle- Special Assistant (Inter-Faith Affairs)

Mr. Timothy Olufemi Sunday- Executive Assistant (Disabilities Matters)

Alhaji AbdulRasheed Adewale- Special Assistant (Islamic Affairs)

Mr. Lanre Dairo – Special Assistant (Housing & Urban Development)

Rt. Hon. Olaniyan Babatunde David- Executive Chairman, Shooting Stars

Mr. Ayoola Olowosoke- Chairman, Agency for Adult and Non-formal Education (AANFE)

Sheikh Akeugberu Taofeeq Akewugbagold- Chairman, Agric Credit Corporation

Engr. Ojekunle Ezekiel- Chairman, Rural Electrification Board

Mrs Adedotun Bolanle Olaitan – Chairperson, Broadcasting Service of Oyo State (BCOS)

Mr Tolu Kuku- Senior Special Assistant (Domestic)

All the appointments, according to a letter by the Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, are with immediate effect.

While congratulating the appointees, the governor charged them to see their appointments as a call to greater service and to discharge their duties with optimum dedication to the state.

Marketers Reveal Petrol Price Will Reduce by N70/Litre as Tinubu Fixes Date For PH Refinery Production

 Petroleum marketers have revealed that petrol prices would reduce if Nigeria begins to refine the product locally

Mike Osatuyi, IPMAN National Controller of Operations, said local refining would reduce the burden of imports on Nigeria

The development comes amid reports that petrol produced in Nigeria’s refineries will fall off-spec in two years

Oil marketers say that immediately after local refining of petroleum products is fully operational, the cost of petrol will go down by at least N70 per litre.

Mike Osatuyi, the National Controller of Operations for the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), said this when recently discussing the benefits of the Nigerian government’s investment in functional refineries.

Contracts for refinery production awarded

Osatuyi told journalists that despite contracts for refurbishing the refineries being awarded, it be a good development for the repairs to be finalized soon to reduce the stress and substantial burden of imports on the country.

Osatuyi said:

“The contract was already awarded before the new government came into office. IPMAN doesn’t know the context of the agreement, but if the refineries are working, it will cut freight and ship-to-ship transfer costs.

“Not less than N60/N70 per litre will be off if the refineries start working.”

Reports say Osatuyi revealed the benefits to include operational refineries as a reduction in insurance costs, product delivery time, and increase in employment.

“Cost of insurance would reduce, and then if we keep importing, it takes about 30 days for ships to arrive in Nigeria, and we would have to pay for hiring the vessel.

“But if we refine in the country, products would arrive within one day. There will also be more jobs for the masses. It’s a lot of benefits,” he said.

 Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) is spending almost $3 billion to refurbish Nigeria’s three refineries. Still, reports say the petrol produced from the refineries will fall below standard in Africa by 2025.

Experts say the development could threaten the health of Nigerians and their vehicles as the world pivots to fuels with lower sulphur.

They say the three refineries use sulphur for petrol production.

The quality of refined petrol improved over the years from 300 per million (PPM) of sulphur to 150 ppm, the standard rule drafted by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in July 2017.

Tumite News reported that President Bola Tinubu has promised that the Port Harcourt refinery will begin operations by December 2023.

BusinessDay reports that NNPC cannot meet the standard because, as of 2019, the refineries produced PMS with sulphur content ranging from 100 ppm to 300 ppm and diesel with sulphur content ranging from 800 ppm to 1,500 ppm.

Tumite News reported that President Bola Tinubu has promised that the Port Harcourt refinery will begin operations by December 2023.

Tinubu disclosed this through a statement issued by Dele Alake, the special adviser to the president on special duties, communications, and strategy, on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.

The statement noted that the president gave the assurance when he spoke at a meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by Joe Ajaero, its president, and that of the Trade Union Congress, Festus Usifo.

Tinubu promised that production would begin after the ongoing rehabilitation contract between Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and Maire Tecnimont SpA was completed.

Olatunbosun Sets To Structure Cultural Festivals, Parleys Egungun Worshipers

 The Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, has hit the ground running in his bid to set the tone for harnessing tourism and culture in Oyo State under Omituntun 2.0.

Dr Olatubosun met Egungun Worshipers (Alagbaas) in the State with a view to setting aside a day for a unified annual Egungun Carnival as tourism becomes a focal point of Governor Seyi Makinde’s Omituntun 2.0 Agenda.  According to Dr Olatubosun, the grand Egungun Carnival will herald the commencement of various Egungun Festivals across Oyo State.

Olatunbosun explained that a unified date for this cultural festival would further promote our culture and boost the tourism potentials of the State by bringing tourists from all over the world to come and witness the festival. The display by the various Egungun Worshipers would serve to make the celebrations more attractive to the tourists. In his words, “Oyo State being a Pacesetter State, would be hitting the ground running on this dignified cultural propagation and promotion, thus writing history for others to follow.”

The ‘Alagbaas ‘who represented all the zones of the State in their response, unanimously agreed to the concept and promised to work in synergy with the Ministry to make the concept a success. They also promised to rally their members to give unwavering support towards achieving the desirable outcome.

The Egungun Festival is celebrated annually between June and July in Oyo State to pray for peace in the land and entertain the people in a peaceful and relaxed manner.

FULL TEXT OF THE NATIONAL BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU TO NIGERIANS ON CURRENT ECONOMIC CHALLENGES

 TEXT OF THE NATIONAL BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU TO NIGERIANS ON CURRENT ECONOMIC CHALLENGES.

AFTER DARKNESS COMES THE GLORIOUS DAWN

My fellow citizens,

I want to talk to you about our economy. It is important that you understand the reasons for the policy measures I have taken to combat the serious economic challenges this nation has long faced.

2. I am not going to talk in difficult terms by dwelling on economic jargon and concepts. I will speak in plain, clear language so that you know where I stand. More importantly, so that you see and hopefully will share my vision regarding the journey to a better, more productive economy for our beloved country.

3. For several years, I have consistently maintained the position that the fuel subsidy had to go. This once beneficial measure had outlived its usefulness. The subsidy cost us trillions of Naira yearly. Such a vast sum of money would have been better spent on public transportation, healthcare, schools, housing and even national security. Instead, it was being funneled into the deep pockets and lavish bank accounts of a select group of individuals.

4. This group had amassed so much wealth and power that they became a serious threat to the fairness of our economy and the integrity of our democratic governance. To be blunt, Nigeria could never become the society it was intended to be as long as such small, powerful yet unelected groups hold enormous influence over our political economy and the institutions that govern it.

5. The whims of the few should never hold dominant sway over the hopes and aspirations of the many. If we are to be a democracy, the people and not the power of money must be sovereign.

6. The preceding administration saw this looming danger as well. Indeed, it made no provision in the 2023 Appropriations for subsidy after June this year.  Removal of this once helpful device that had transformed into a millstone around the country’s neck had become inevitable.

7. Also, the multiple exchange rate system that had been established became nothing but a highway of currency speculation. It diverted money that should have been used to create jobs, build factories and businesses for millions of people. Our national wealth was doled on favourable terms to a handful of people who have been made filthy rich simply by moving money from one hand to another. This too was extremely unfair.

8. It also compounded the threat that the illicit and mass accumulation of money posed to the future of our democratic system and its economy.

Related News

Subsidy: We’ll get out of this turbulence – Tinubu assures Nigerians

I came to help not hurt Nigerians – Tinubu

Virgil van Dijk, Trent named as Liverpool captain, assistant

9. I had promised to reform the economy for the long-term good by fighting the major imbalances that had plagued our economy.  Ending the subsidy and the preferential exchange rate system were key to this fight. This fight is to define the fate and future of our nation. Much is in the balance.

10. Thus, the defects in our economy immensely profited a tiny elite, the elite of the elite you might call them. As we moved to fight the flaws in the economy, the people who grow rich from them, predictably, will fight back through every means necessary.

11. Our economy is going through a tough patch and you are being hurt by it. The cost of fuel has gone up. Food and other prices have followed it. Households and businesses struggle. Things seem anxious and uncertain. I understand the hardship you face. I wish there were other ways. But there is not. If there were, I would have taken that route as I came here to help not hurt the people and nation that I love.

12. What I can offer in the immediate is to reduce the burden our current economic situation has imposed on all of us, most especially on businesses, the working class and the most vulnerable among us.

13. Already, the Federal Government is working closely with states and local governments to implement interventions that will cushion the pains of our people across socio-economic brackets.

14. Earlier this month, I signed four (4) Executive Orders in keeping with my electoral promise to address unfriendly fiscal policies and multiple taxes that are stifling the business environment. These Executive Orders on suspension and deferred commencement of some taxes will provide the necessary buffers and headroom to businesses in the manufacturing sector to continue to thrive and expand.

15. To strengthen the manufacturing sector, increase its capacity to expand and create good paying jobs, we are going to spend N75 billion between July 2023 and March 2024. Our objective is to fund 75 enterprises with great potential to kick-start a sustainable economic growth, accelerate structural transformation and improve productivity. Each of the 75 manufacturing enterprises will be able to access N1 Billion credit at 9% per annum with maximum of 60 months repayment for long term loans and 12 months for working capital.

16. Our administration recognises the importance of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and the informal sector as drivers of growth. We are going to energise this very important sector with N125 billion.

17. Out of the sum, we will spend N50 billion on Conditional Grant to 1 million nano businesses between now and March 2024. Our target is to give N50,000 each to 1,300 nano business owners in each of the 774 local governments across the country.

18. Ultimately, this programme will further drive financial inclusion by onboarding beneficiaries into the formal banking system. In like manner, we will fund 100,000 MSMEs and start-ups with N75 billion. Under this scheme, each enterprise promoter will be able to get between N500,000 to N1million at 9% interest per annum and a repayment period of 36 months.

19. To further ensure that prices of food items remain affordable, we have had a multi-stakeholder engagement with various farmers’ associations and operators within the agricultural value chain.

20. In the short and immediate terms, we will ensure staple foods are available and affordable. To this end, I have ordered the release of 200,000 Metric Tonnes of grains from strategic reserves to households across the 36 states and FCT to moderate prices. We are also providing 225,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer, seedlings and other inputs to farmers who are committed to our food security agenda.

21. Our plan to support cultivation of 500,000 hectares of farmland and all-year-round farming practice remains on course. To be specific, N200 billion out of the N500 billion approved by the National Assembly will be disbursed as follows: 

-Our administration will invest N50 billion each to cultivate 150,000 hectares of rice and maize.

-N50 billion each will also be earmarked to cultivate 100,000 hectares of wheat and cassava.

22. This expansive agricultural programme will be implemented targeting small-holder farmers and leveraging large-scale private sector players in the agric business with strong performance record.

23. In this regard, the expertise of Development Finance Institutions, commercial banks and microfinance banks will be tapped into to develop a viable and an appropriate transaction structure for all stakeholders.

24. Fellow Nigerians, I made a solemn pledge to work for you. How to improve your welfare and living condition is of paramount importance to me and it’s the only thing that keeps me up day and night.

25. It is in the light of this that I approved the Infrastructure Support Fund for the States. This new Infrastructure Fund will enable States to intervene and invest in critical areas and bring relief to many of the pain points as well as revamp our decaying healthcare and educational Infrastructure.

26. The fund will also bring improvements to rural access roads to ease evacuation of farm produce to markets. With the fund, our states will become more competitive and on a stronger financial footing to deliver economic prosperity to Nigerians.

27. Part of our programme is to roll out buses across the states and local governments for mass transit at a much more affordable rate. We have made provision to invest N100 billion between now and March 2024 to acquire 3000 units of 20-seater CNG-fuelled buses.

28. These buses will be shared to major transportation companies in the states, using the intensity of travel per capital. Participating transport companies will be able to access credit under this facility at 9% per annum with 60 months repayment period.

29. In the same vein, we are also working in collaboration with the Labour unions to introduce a new national minimum wage for workers. I want to tell our workers this: your salary review is coming.

30. Once we agree on the new minimum wage and general upward review, we will make budget provision for it for immediate implementation.

31. I want to use this opportunity to salute many private employers in the Organised Private Sector who have already implemented general salary review for employees.

32. Fellow Nigerians, this period may be hard on us and there is no doubt about it that it is tough on us. But I urge you all to look beyond the present temporary pains and aim at the larger picture. All of our good and helpful plans are in the works. More importantly, I know that they will work.

33. Sadly, there was an unavoidable lag between subsidy removal and these plans coming fully online. However, we are swiftly closing the time gap. I plead with you to please have faith in our ability to deliver and in our concern for your well-being.

34. We will get out of this turbulence. And, due to the measures we have taken, Nigeria will be better equipped and able to take advantage of the future that awaits her.

35. In a little over two months, we have saved over a trillion Naira that would have been squandered on the unproductive fuel subsidy which only benefitted smugglers and fraudsters. That money will now be used more directly and more beneficially for you and your families.

36. For example, we shall fulfill our promise to make education more affordable to all and provide loans to higher education students who may need them. No Nigerian student will have to abandon his or her education because of lack of money.

37. Our commitment is to promote the greatest good for the greatest number of our people. On this principle, we shall never falter.

38. We are also monitoring the effects of the exchange rate and inflation on gasoline prices. If and when necessary, we will intervene.

39. I assure you my fellow country men and women that we are exiting the darkness to enter a new and glorious dawn.

40. Now, I must get back to work in order to make this vision come true.

41. Thank you all for listening and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

HISTORY-MAKING GOVERNOR: REDEFINING PTS, A MAJOR FOCUS AND RELIEF IS ON THE WAY FOR BETTER TRANSPORTATION SERVICES || IJOBA AUTHORITY MOE

It is a new dawn in Oyo State as our history-making Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde FNSE  fixed the right person into the Oyo State transportation system. The appointment of Hon. (Dr) Salami Dikko whose capacity is second to none is worthy and merits the office. 

Since the time of the military regime, no one has occupied the sole administrator regalia until this time. Hon. Dikko is the first to hold the two positions as Chairman and Sole Administrator to Oyo State PaceSetters Transport Services(PTS). He is a successful business mogul, a fantastic administrator, highly exposed, and a refined professional of note whose leadership is trusted.

Meanwhile,  as those Bus Terminals are about to be completed, the two remaining metropolitan edifices at Iwo Road, be rest assured that it will contribute enormously to the economic growth, and seamless transport services deliver under an enabling environment through infrastructural development. We must also remember that the Omituntun Mass Transit (OMT) has come into the limelight with 56-seater mass transit buses and many more are about to be unveiled under the new leadership that will cover some routes to be listed in coming weeks.

Kudos to our amiable, indefatigable Governor for this as it will make life easier for the masses and enhance smooth transportation. An assurance has been made to the good people during the weekly newsletter by The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde.

For the avoidance of doubt, I am not surprised and afraid of his nomination and appointment as the Chairman and sole administrator of Pacesetter Transport Services of Oyo State, the first of its kind. Gov. Makinde, the Man Called MAKINSSON (GSM) is a Visionary leader that is aiming well for the state and giving the state a good future ahead with the diversities of projects he is embarking upon to make Oyo State the home and headquarters of the economic hub in South West Nigeria and in the global community.

Remember, a few days ago, Gov MAKINDE made known his intention to bring relief to the good people of Oyo State in his newsletter.

It reads thus: "We have heard our people’s call for palliatives due to the prevailing economic situation in the country. We have already taken some measures in terms of expanding the routes of our Omituntun Bus service and ensuring that transport costs are not increased. But we know there is more to be done, and in the coming weeks, we will be rolling out more sustainable actions for the benefit of our people". ~ Seyi Makinde

To experience more promotion and services of these good things at the PTS, we all need to come together to support and cooperate with the new chairman, Hon. Dr. Salami Oladeji Ibraheem Dikko for a better discharge of duties and great tasks as committed to his hands by His Excellency, Engr. Dsc. GSSRS KJW Abiodun Seyi Makinde, FNSE.

By so doing, I am using the medium to call on public and private capacity, investors, business moguls, and reputable and value system-oriented organizations to find their way to partner with the chairman to add more good value to this State.

Let's make haste in collaborating with his office for sustainable development goals in this administration of OMITUNTUN 2.0.

Let's make the continuity of GSM our priority and ensure mutual understanding with Mr Chairman, Hon. Dikko.

Your's Servant Leader,

Member GSM Advocate 

Egalitarian Dig. Com.

Moyosoreoluwa Olamilekan Eldreez codenamed IJOBA AUTHORITY MOE writes from the home of Generals Ibadan North East World

Arapaja's Rumoured Governorship Ambition Aimed At Causing Disaffection Between Him & Gov.Makinde - Group.

 

A group within the People's Democratic Party in Oyo State "National Equity Group" has described a story published by an online medium, theexclusivepress.net that Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja is nursing ambition to succeed Governor Seyi Makinde in 2027 as an attempt to cause disaffection between the governor and Ambassador Arapaja.

The group in a statement issued by its National Secretary, Samson Fredrick said it initially chosen to disregard the said report because it saw the need not to trade words with those who don’t believe in the modest achievements of the governor makinde led administration, noted that reacting to it however, became necessary in order to set the record straight and to put those behind the purveyor of the said fake news to shame.

In the malicious report published by the said online medium with the caption “Arapaja moves to succeed Makinde in 2027, Begins consultations” Arapaja was alleged to have begun move to take over from Makinde in 2027, a report which is nothing but a blatant lie.

According to the group, "we want to state that we are highly disappointed in the said unfounded, baseless and frivolous report and wondered why some people could descend so low to the extent of cooking up such baseless, malicious and frivolous story all in the name of politics.

His Excellency, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja that we know is somebody who have absolute belief that God Almighty alone  gives power to whom He will and dethrone whoever He will without being questioned by anybody.

The said report was the handiwork of some political jobbers who are trying to cause disaffection between the Governor and Ambassador Arapaja because there was never a time he has ever made any move to join the far away 2027 gubernatorial race not to talk of discussing such with anybody whether before or after the 2023 general elections to the best of our knowledge.

His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde is the Governor of Oyo state and he is doing wonderfully well. And it will be a disservice for anybody that is loyal to him trying to indicate interest in the 2027 gubernatorial in Oyo State which is very very far by now. Such a person could be described as an enemy of the State who does not want the state to progress knowing fully well that the move will definitely cause distraction for our amiable and performing governor.

The main motive of the publication and its sponsor is to cause rift and disaffection between the Governor and Ambassador Arapaja because they know that Ambassador Arapaja's loyalty to Governor Makinde is one hundred per cent and Gov. Makinde equally have very high regards for him. 

On the allegation that Ambassador Arapaja used the opportunity of the assignment that His Excellency gave him to oversee the selection of chairmanship and councillor candidates within Ibadan city to favour some candidates allegedly loyal to him, this is also another weighty allegations that they have failed to substantiate because they ought to have mentioned the names or local government where such favour happened. The selection of candidates was purely on merit. All the leaders and stakeholders were carried along in each of the local governments and that was why there was tremendous success in the choice of all the candidates during the primaries.

Gov. Seyi Makinde is doing wonderfully well to the extent that even if the constitution had permitted for a third term,  he would have gotten the support of all the people in the State for a third term in office. This is because in the history of governance in Oyo State we have never had it so good like this.

He has raised the bar of governance to the extent that Oyo State has become a model for other states to emulate. He has brought a lot of innovations to the governance from education, agriculture, health care, workers welfare, infrastructure,  and many other things that cannot be seen on the pages of newspapers.

Therefore, this reaction is necessary to set the record straight and to warn the media practitioners especially the bloggers to stop being used as agent of destabilisation and to shame the faceless political jobbers that sponsored the publication of fake story. We believe that God shall continue to expose the wolves on sheep’s clothing that have constituted themselves as enemies of progress in Oyo State.`` The statement concluded.

Gov. Makinde Presents Vehicles To 2 Ace Journalists In Ibadan

 

Governor Seyi Makinde has yet again presented SUV vehicles to journalists in Ibadan, in his bid to motivate and ameliorate the plights of journalists in Oyo State State .

The beneficiaries of Governor Seyi Makinde’s generosity and goodwill are Comrade Ademola Babalola who happen to be the current Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ) , Oyo State Chapter and Mr Dare Adekanbi of The Nigerian Tribune Newspaper.

You will be recall that the Governor had presented a Toyota Jeep to ace broadcast Journalist, Mayor Isaac Brown few months ago

The duo which the car was presented to are members of Isaac Brown’s popular political programme, Political Circuit, on Fresh FM Nigeria

The Two jeeps were presented to Demola and Dare by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sulaimon Olanrewaju on Thursday (today) at the Government House, Agodi Ibadan.

Reacting to the Makinde’s surprise gift, the NUJ Chairman, Ademola Babalola took to his social media accounts to extol the leadership qualities of the Governor.

He wrote: “In July 2021 (2years ago) when we (Dare, Mayor and I) had a chanced meeting with His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde and discussion reached some point, the Governor felt concerned about the ‘plight of Nigerian Journalists’ and he promised to change the narrative for the better.

” He had done very many wonderful things for the NUJ even before he became the Governor.

“He has always been a Philanthropist of note. He has continued to play very many supportive roles in my life before and after my election as NUJ Chairman. While leaving the meeting, he promised to buy SUV Cars as gifts for our contributions to nation building and more importantly, to ease our tasks as stakeholders in the Project Oyo State.

“He also used the opportunity of our meeting to renew his pledge to make the State a better place for all at the end of his stewardship as the Governor of the State.